Monitor on Psychology - January 2012 - (Page 15)

Brief In Thinkstock abilities to perform many activities of daily living, and that treatment with 20 IUs of intranasal insulin led to improved memory. No memory improvement was seen in the placebo group or in those receiving 40 IUs of insulin, which suggests that this dose may exceed the optimal dose for memory, researchers say (Archives of Neurology, September). n Women who wear makeup are perceived as more attractive and competent than those who do not, according to research at Harvard. In the study, two groups of more than 100 participants were asked to rate photographs of female faces with varying levels of cosmetics applied by a professional makeup artist. The findings revealed that makeup has a significant and automatic effect on people’s judgments of attractiveness, and even influences how likeable, trustworthy and competent a woman is viewed. That positive perception decreases, however, as women apply heavier makeup (PLoS ONE, Oct. 3). n Too much undeserved self-praise can lead to depression, finds a study with four different groups of young people from the United States and Hong Kong. The researchers found that students who inflated their academic performances compared to their peers were significantly more likely to feel depressed. These findings challenge the For direct links to these articles, click on the journal names. Wearing makeup may make women look more competent, as long as it’s not overdone. n More pregnant and postpartum American women now die from homicide or suicide than more traditional causes of maternal mortality. Researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University found that suicide and homicide account for 2 and 2.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, respectively, compared with a rate of 1.8 deaths due to each specific obstetric cause, including hemorrhage, placenta previa and eclampsia (Obstetrics & Gynecology, November). n An insulin nasal spray slows memory loss and preserves thinking skills in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, according to a pilot clinical trial with 104 adults by scientists at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. The study builds on research exploring how abnormal functioning of the hormone insulin might contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, because insulin helps to convert blood sugar into energy and is known to be important to normal brain functioning. Participants were given daily doses of either 20 IUs of insulin, 40 IUs of insulin or a saline placebo. The researchers found that both doses of insulin preserved patients’ J a n u a ry 2 0 1 2 • M o n i t o r o n p s y c h o l o g y 15 http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/archneurol.2011.233v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=insulin+spray&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0025656 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0025656 http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2011/11000/Homicide_and_Suicide_During_the_Perinatal_Period_.13.aspx http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2011/11000/Homicide_and_Suicide_During_the_Perinatal_Period_.13.aspx

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - January 2012

Monitor on Psychology - January 2012
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
Contents
From the CEO
Apa’s Statement on the Dsm-5 Development Process
Girl Scouts Badge Promotes Positive Psychology
Early Investments Pay Off for Poor Children, Study Finds
Apa Meets With Chinese Psychological Society to Further Interaction and Exchange
Unique Opportunity for Psychologists to Travel to Cuba
In Brief
Government Relations Update
On Your Behalf
Psychology’s Growing Library of Podcasts
Standing Up for Psychology
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Science Watch
Beyond Psychotherapy
Perspective on Practice
Yes, Recovery Is Possible
Inequity to Equity
Making E-Learning Work
New Standards for High School Psychology
A Trailblazer Moves On
Psychologist Profile
Plan Now for Psychology’s Regional Meetings
New Journal Editors
Apa News
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - January 2012